Weekly news from the GLBT world http://www.windycitytimes.com/windycitytimes.html 2013-05-22T03:11:29-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://www.windycitytimes.com/images/publications/wct/2013-05-15/current.jpg text/html 2013-05-22T02:02:23-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Andrew Davis, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Chely-Wright-partner-have-twins-John-Barrowmans-new-gig/42877.html Country-music singer Chely Wright and her wife, Lauren Blitzer-Wright, are now the parents of identical twin boys, Gay Star News noted. The "Single White Female" singer gave birth to the children May 18 in New York City. The babies are named George Samuel and Everett Joseph, after their great-grandfathers. Wright and Blitzer-Wright married in Connecticut in August 2011. text/html 2013-05-21T20:59:24-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Isle-of-Klezbos-in-Chicago-July-21/42871.html The Isle of Klezbos will play at the Mayne Stage, Sunday, July 21, 7:30 p.m., 1328 W. Morse Ave., Chicago. text/html 2013-05-21T16:09:16-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Gay-Games-Chicago-2006-Anniv-Celebration-July-13-/42864.html More than 11,000 athletes and artists from nearly 70 countries participated in the 2006 Gay Games Sports & Cultural Festival in Chicago. text/html 2013-05-20T21:37:28-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Obama-to-honor-Sally-Ride-with-Presidential-Medal-of-Freedom/42854.html WASHINGTON, DC — Today, President Barack Obama announced he will award a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut to travel to space. The Medal of Freedom is the Nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. text/html 2013-05-20T01:49:30-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Force-clinch-division-title-scorch-Indy-82-20/42845.html Indianapolis, IN. Records were shattering throughout the evening as the Chicago Force destroyed the Indy Crash at Marian University. Chicago set a franchise record for single game totals in points scored 82, most passing yardage 501, and most touchdowns scored 12. text/html 2013-05-15T20:06:29-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Jewish-LGBT-group-part-of-womens-solidarity-action/42831.html Chicago LGBT Jewish organization Congregation or Chadash was among groups to demonstrate in support of Jewish Israeli women May 10 in Chicago. text/html 2013-05-15T01:40:03-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Charlsie Dewey http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Lesbian-executive-talks-about-coming-out/42765.html Beth Brooke serves as global vice chair iof public policy for Ernst & Young. That might not be such a big deal, except Brooke is openly lesbian, making her one of the few out members of leadership serving with an international or even national company. text/html 2013-05-14T14:01:46-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Force-undefeated-beat-Detroit-61-0/42763.html Westland, MI. The Chicago Force 5-0 faced a familiar foe - the weather - in their 3rd consecutive road game this past weekend. As the national anthem played prior to a rematch with the Detroit Dark Angels, the skies opened up and huge gusts of wind began to rattle the umbrellas. For Chicago, the beginning of the game was as messy as the weather. text/html 2013-05-13T17:55:48-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Lambda-Legal-Women-in-Leadership-salon-May-15-/42760.html Chicago, IL, April 22, 2013 — On Wednesday, May 15, the Lambda Legal Chicago Leadership Council presents "Leading Chicago — Women Making the Case for Equality," a conversational salon benefitting Lambda Legal. The evening, held in the West Loop's Douglas Dawson Gallery, will include a keynote address by highly acclaimed civil rights attorney Fay Clayton, performances by Rebecca Kling and KOKUMO, and will also highlight five other women leaders in Chicago. text/html 2013-05-11T12:15:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Homos-A-Go-Go-at-Laugh-Factory/42749.html CHICAGO, IL - May 9, 2013 - Homos A-Go-Go is Laugh Factory Chicago's new premier queer comedy showcase, featuring the best gay and gay-friendly comics in the city and around the world. Produced and hosted by the Chicago's favorite actor and comedian Scott Duff, the monthly comedy extravaganza will kick off with the hilarious Jessica Halem featuring May 27th at 8pm! text/html 2013-05-10T21:47:30-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Changing-Worlds-honors-Jane-Saks/42747.html Changing Worlds, a nonprofit which fosters inclusive communities through oral history, writing and art programs that improve student learning, affirm identity and enhance cross-cultural understanding, held their annual benefit May 8. Among their honorees this year was cultural advocate and lesbian activist Jane M. Saks. text/html 2013-05-10T14:01:22-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Dr-Umpierre-Herrera-to-appear-at-several-Chicago-venues/42743.html Dr. Luzma Umpierre Herrera, a foremost figure within contemporary Puerto Rican literature and culture, will be in Chicago for several events next week. text/html 2013-05-09T22:43:40-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Being-gay-is-not-an-issue-in-the-WNBA-/42740.html Swin Cash knows she has played with and against gay players during her illustrious basketball career that includes 11 seasons in the WNBA, including three All-Star seasons, and two National Championship seasons for the University of Connecticut before turning pro. text/html 2013-05-08T21:02:40-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Lesbian-aims-to-help-those-in-poverty-/42725.html Her world changed dramatically one morning in February 2011—and so did, eventually, the lives of countless low-income adults. text/html 2013-05-08T01:56:51-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jerry Nunn, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Tylan-goes-solo/42692.html Springing from previous group Girlyman, singer Tylan is stepping out on her own with a debut solo album entitled One True Thing. Friends like Amy Ray from The Indigo Girls are helping on the project on the track "Already Fine." While still remaining true to her roots, the album being released on June 18 has a self-described heavier sound. text/html 2013-05-07T20:36:55-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Tracy Baim, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Norma-Reyes-dies/42679.html Norma Reyes, who came out as a lesbian during an emotional speech at the 2010 Equality Illinois Justice for All gala, has died. She was 56. No cause of death has been reported. text/html 2013-05-06T16:30:55-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Executive-Sweet-Reunion-Party-July-13/42672.html Legendary party divas Pat McCombs and Vera Washington will host Executive Sweet's Reunion Party July 13. Executive Sweet was the oldest and largest of all women's parties in Chicago. text/html 2013-05-06T16:12:31-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Artemis-Singers-presents-June-1-Pride-concert-and-dance-/42671.html CHICAGO †Artemis Singers www.artemissingers.org, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will present "Amazon Women Rise," a Pride concert and dance, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Broadway United Methodist Church, 3338 N. Broadway, Chicago. text/html 2013-05-06T16:00:55-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-L-Stop-celebrates-second-year/42670.html The L Stop, Chicago's lesbian community website, celebrated its second year running with a Casino Night anniversary party May 5. The event, held at Center on Halsted, raised money for Affinity Community Services, The Crib, Chicago Women's Health Center and Howard Brown's Lesbian Community Care Project. Pictured: Lisa Martinez and Vivian Gonzalez, The L Stop founders. Photo by Kate Sosin. text/html 2013-05-05T17:45:36-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Yasmin Nair, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Angela-Davis-speaks-on-Feminism-and-Abolition/42667.html World-renowned scholar, activist and feminist Angela Davis was in Chicago May 4 to deliver the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture Annual Public Lecture, in collaboration with the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality. Both institutions are at the University of Chicago, and the event was held at Rockefeller Chapel on the university's campus. text/html 2013-05-04T17:20:22-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Iowa-Two-parent-birth-certificate-for-child-of-married-lesbians/42662.html Des Moines, IA, May 3, 2013 - On May 3 the Iowa Supreme Court built upon its ruling in Lambda Legal's landmark case, Varnum v. Brien, which ordered that same-sex couples and their families be treated equally under Iowa law, and ordered the Iowa Department of Public Health IDPH to provide an accurate two-parent birth certificate to all children born to lesbian married parents in Iowa. The Court was unanimous in ordering the State to treat children of lesbian couples as having two parents at birth. text/html 2013-05-04T15:18:11-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Women-firefighters-have-right-to-report-to-Academy/42659.html CHICAGO May 4, 2013 — Up to 140 aspiring women firefighters have the right to report to the Chicago Fire Department Academy on Monday morning if they want to be reconsidered for the positions for which they were originally rejected. text/html 2013-05-01T03:33:36-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Girlymans-Tylan-in-Evanston-May-11/42588.html Singer Tylan, who was in the folk-pop quartet Girlyman, will perform at Evanston's SPACE Saturday, May 11. text/html 2013-05-01T02:17:58-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Latino-film-festival-features-women-LGBTs/42583.html The 29th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival CLFF came to a close last week with a science-fiction comedy called The Man From the Future and a Brazilian-themed afterparty at the Rivers East Arts Center. text/html 2013-05-01T00:41:12-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Force-Overcome-Rain-Dominate-St-Louis-in-50-7-Win/42579.html St. Louis, MO. Diehard Chicago fans on a road trip to St. Louis braved a non-stop rain that fluctuated from steady drizzle to torrential downpour. The elements seemed to affect the offenses of both teams, resulting in numerous fumbles, errant snaps and a scoreless first quarter. The first score of the game came early in the second quarter on a safety. Chicago 3-0 had just fumbled away a scoring opportunity on 4th and goal at the one yard line. The turnover on downs gave St. Louis the ball on their own one yard line, with the Force defense smelling blood in the water. On the Slam's first play Chicago's Angel Smith met the ball carrier in the backfield, bringing her down in her own end zone for a 2 point safety. text/html 2013-04-29T15:44:28-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Suburban-Adventures-Lesbian-Meetup-May-19/42564.html Suburban Adventures Lesbian Meetup Group invites lesbians to their 2nd "Acoustical Sunday" May 19 from 3-7 p.m. text/html 2013-04-24T14:37:12-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Stephen Sonneveld http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Lesbian-lawyer-lives-her-passion-/42525.html Fifty miles south of Cleveland is Massillon, Ohio, where the once-thriving steel mills have now closed, and Friday nights are still reserved for football. An eclectic host of personalities have called "Tigertown" home, including straight white seismologist Jack Oliver, who discovered plate tectonics; straight white NCAA basketball coach Bobby Knight; straight white film legend Lillian Gish; and African-American lesbian lawyer Lori Lightfoot. text/html 2013-04-24T14:02:28-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Local-theater-About-Face-Fall-and-more-/42518.html "Theatre is so gay!" That's an advertising slogan once used by About Face Theatre, Chicago's preeminent company devoted to LGBTQ theater. It not only played on the politically incorrect put-down used by so many teenagers, but accurately touched on the fact that there is a large lavender contingent of people working in the theater community. This week's column focuses on the plethora of LGBTQ news and productions around town: text/html 2013-04-24T13:39:38-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com David-Elijah Nahmod http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Actress-on-return-of-All-My-Children-and-her-lesbian-role/42505.html On April 29, the iconic daytime drama All My Children AMC returns in a new online format. The revived serial, which ran for an impressive 41 years on ABC, will present four 30 minute episodes a week, with a recap episode on Friday. The new episodes will be available at Hulu, Hulu Plus and iTunes. Fans of the show fought a long, hard battle to bring this miracle about. text/html 2013-04-23T23:11:33-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Sister-Spit-delivers-at-the-Hideout/42489.html The queer-centric performance gang Sister Spit brought its entertaining show to Chicago April 20 with a performance at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. text/html 2013-04-27T17:36:57-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Lambda-Women-in-Leadership-at-salon-/42546.html On Wednesday, May 15th, the Lambda Legal Chicago Leadership Council presents Leading Chicago — Women Making the Case for Equality, a conversational salon benefiting Lambda Legal. The evening, held in the West Loop's Douglas Dawson Gallery, will include a keynote address by highly acclaimed civil rights attorney Fay Clayton, performances by Rebecca Kling and KOKUMO, and will also highlight five other women leaders in Chicago. text/html 2013-04-19T21:18:42-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/LGBT-Womens-council-last-advisory-group-still-to-be-formed/42463.html After more than a year of silence on the formation of an advisory council budgeted by the city to address LGBT and women's issues, some have begun to suspect that council will be cut. But, city officials say they are working to the fill the council. text/html 2013-04-17T01:52:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jamie Anne Royce http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Amigas-Latinas-marks-reinstatement-with-cocktail-reception/42407.html Amigas Latinas Chicago ALC hosted "Amigas on the Rise/Amigas Ascendiendo" April 13 at the Center on Halsted to celebrate the relaunch of the organization. text/html 2013-04-17T01:25:28-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Carrie Maxwell, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Rachel-Maddow-talks-political-military-topics-in-Downers-Grove/42401.html Military issues and politics were the themes of a talk by MSNBC host, author and activist Rachel Maddow April 13 at the Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove. The event was hosted by Anderson's Bookshop, located in Downers Grove and Naperville. text/html 2013-04-17T01:15:25-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Lori-Fox-hurdles-over-obstacles/42399.html Lori Fox was speaking three years ago at Aurora University when a male student asked Fox to describe herself in one word, explaining where she was at, at that very moment. text/html 2013-04-17T01:13:41-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Suze-Orman-discusses-taxes-marriage-inequality/42398.html Over the past few months, many couples have been preparing their taxes. As the deadline to file passed this month, many LGBT couples were reminded of the difficulties that face in not being recognized the same way as heterosexual couples. text/html 2013-04-17T01:05:52-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Charlsie Dewey http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Lambda-Legal-and-its-Midwest-office-mark-major-milestones/42393.html The year was 1972 and a small group of lawyers, led by Bill Thom, set out to found a not-for-profit legal organization based out of New York that would focus entirely on LGBT civil rights issues across the nation. They encountered their first challenge shortly after filing the paperwork for nonprofit status when a panel of New York judges denied the application. text/html 2013-04-12T21:58:05-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Sheryl-Swoopes-named-womens-basketball-coach-at-Loyola-Chicago/42362.html One of the best, most decorated basketball players ever will be calling Chicago home for the 2013-14 season. text/html 2013-04-12T13:16:12-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/GUEST-VIEW-A-Fathers-Love/42353.html An unexpected and hopeful thing happened just this past week that gave me greater hope about how quickly our country is turning toward marriage equality. After a surprising call from my father I wrote a column that began this way: text/html 2013-04-12T09:52:10-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Heated-debate-follows-Michigan-Fest-boycott-petition/42349.html What follows are communications related to the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, held every August in Michigan, and its official ban on trans women entering the festival. The policy is more of a "don't ask, don't tell" ban, as trans women have been at the festival, but the official policy has caused deep divisions in the community. text/html 2013-03-25T09:23:37-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/GayCo-Productions-presents-all-woman-sketch-comedy-revue-/42092.html Chicago, IL — The women of GayCo invite you to love the ladies in this original sketch revue originally workshopped at Second City's DeMatt Theater and Apollo Theater Studio. Lesbians are on the prowl as they explore the compromises made when you find the one with a great ass. Dora the Explorer copes with a tell-tale haircut as she struggles to make her way through Obamacare. The Illinois Department of Human Services determine how social a sperm donor can get; and GayCo boldly embraces lesbian stereotypes in their most epic Softball scene ever. Six talented comediennes take charge in this hilarious sketch revue. GayCo doesn't just shatter the glass ceiling — they polish it up to a high glamour so that women can see through. Thanks Libby whats-her-name! text/html 2013-04-11T17:16:43-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Melissa-Ferrick-at-FitzGeralds-July-5-/42347.html On June 4, MPress Records will release the truth is, the latest album from acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Melissa Ferrick. Recorded live with a full band and produced by Ferrick, mixed by Grammy Award winner Trina Shoemaker Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow and engineered by Rafi Sofer James Taylor, Juliana Hatfield, the album marks a creative departure for Ferrick in its collaborative approach and an evolution in the sound she has developed over the course of her expansive career and catalog. Ferrick and her band will tour the U.S. in support of the album's release—please see below for confirmed tour dates. text/html 2013-04-10T09:47:57-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Charlsie Dewey http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Ethical-Treatment-PETA-LGBT-community-share-bonds/42318.html It's long been a joke that one of the signs of lesbianism is a vegetarian or vegan diet, a point made hilariously funny by RuPaul's character Mike in the 1990s film But I'm a Cheerleader. text/html 2013-04-10T09:41:44-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Indigo-Girls-call-for-trans-inclusion-at-womyns-festival/42315.html The duo Indigo Girls has released a statement concerning the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival's MWMF's ban on transgender individuals. text/html 2013-04-10T08:44:50-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Lesbian-boxer-living-her-lifelong-dream/42311.html Grace Penney has long been a boxing fan who even dreamed of being an Olympian in the sport. text/html 2013-04-09T20:16:35-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Sally Parsons http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Local-playwright-wins-NYC-play-fest/42301.html Chicago playwright Cathy Earnest garnered first place in the Take Ten Festival produced the week of March 18 in New York City. Earnest's 10-minute play, Disappearing—about two strangers who find themselves sitting on a cloud—won out over 130 entrants. text/html 2013-04-09T17:29:39-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Military-spouse-living-in-Charlies-memory/42294.html Karen Morgan knows that times are toughest for her 5-year-old daughter in the morning, when she's going to the bus en route to kindergarten, and then at bedtime. Those were the special times together for young Casey and Morgan's longtime partner, Charlie. text/html 2013-04-07T18:57:39-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-Chicago-Force-takes-Detroit-Dark-Angels-in-opener/42279.html The Chicago Force showed no mercy Saturday on the Detroit Dark Angels, scoring seemingly at will in the season-opener, played at Lazier Field on the campus of Evanston Township High School. text/html 2013-04-05T18:08:02-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Kate Sosin, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Lesbian-sailor-fighting-Great-Lakes-fraternization-case/42269.html A fraternization charge coming at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois is raising questions about military policy impacting lesbian and gay service members. text/html 2013-04-05T08:54:10-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Carrie Maxwell http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Urvashi-Vaid-Kate-Clinton-in-Chicago/42262.html Race, class and LGBT politics were the themes of a talk by community organizer, author and attorney Urvashi Vaid April 3 at the Center on Halsted. Political humorist, author, and activist Kate Clinton—Vaid's longtime partner—lead a discussion and Q&A session following Vaid's remarks.